Who are the men trying to buy Zenit?

Recently, a former footballer, currently unknown is trying to buy Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg. Many take-overs have been happening in the major footballing world, such as AZ Alkmaar and Lokomotiv Moscow yesterday announced that their take-over plans were scrapped after a disagreement on clauses.

Now Zenit is the new Russian side to be under take-over talks. Zenit will be a very expensive and risky investment for the bidder. They received over €60,000,000 in transfer fees in January and it's current owners will be happy with the money made by themselves by these deals and may think it is time to move on.

Early indications show the unidentified bidder is quite rich, with attempting to buy Zenit showing that. Local media understands the bidder will invest big in players and the squad and it's facilities. This controversy comes at a bad time for Zenit who are currently fighting for a potential EURO Cup spot and miles off of catching up with 1st placed Rubin Kazan who are ahead by 12 points with only 6 points to play for but Zenit only need a win to qualify for Europe next season.

Zenit St. Petersburg vs Kuban Krasnodar

Welcome to Spartak in Vladikavkaz, it's the Russian Cup Final here and both teams only chance of a trophy this season. Zenit are 2/5 favourites to win, 13/2 for Kuban to win and 11/4 for a draw after 90 minutes of play. The line-ups have been entered, lets take a look.



Zenit undoubtedly have the stronger team on paper but their left-wing superstar Hulk is suspended for this game so Andrey Arshavin fills in for him with Danny moving into Arshavin's normal position. Zenit also have the "New Benteke" up-front in Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi, the 21 year old has scored 4 goals in 8 appearances after joining for €9,000,000 from Standard Leige in February. Undoubtedly Kuban's only real threat to Zenit's defence is French striker Djibril Cissé who is Kuban's top scorer this season with 11 goals coming in 27 games, not clinical but good enough. Also some news to feel good about for Zenit, 'keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev has not conceded in 191 minutes.

And Djibril Cissé kicks the final off!

30 seconds in... Batshuayi finds Labyad's feet... Played into Danny!!!!!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!! Zenit off to a flyer!

9 minutes in... Pavlenko has it for Kuban, Witsel tackles but it's gone to Cissé, here's Tarasov, has a go but well wide.

10 minutes in... Kozlov has a free-kick for Kuban, short to Kaboré and played back to Kozlov, hoofs it forward to Cissé... Malafeev commits! Chipped cross by Cissé! And Bukharov heads it away to the delight of Malafeev. Witsel has the ball now... Finds Danny, Batshuayi with a tackle and he runs onto the baaaaaaaall, Batshuaaaaaaaaaaaaayiiiiiiiiii!!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!! 2-0 to Zenit St. Petersburg! Great work by Batshuayi!

15 minutes in... Malafeev with the goal-kick to Hubocan and passed across to Bukharov, plays it right to the feet of Kuban's Lolo, short to Tsoraev. Solojvov tackles, now with Kaboré, played down the left to Lolo, played back to Kaboré, Tsoraev now, cuts inside all the waaaaaaaaaaaay... Tsoraaaaaaaaaaaeeeeeeeevvvvvv!!!!!!! Kuban back in the game! 2-1!

18 minutes in... Belenov with the goal-kick, Tarasov nods it on towards Pavlenko, into the path of Cissé, out to the right to Ibra... Gets to the byline... Cuts it baaaaaaaaaaaaaack, CISSÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ!!!!!!!!!!!! THE EQUALISER FOR KUBAN! 2-2!

20 minutes in... Tsoraev now, Cissé makes a run, inside the box! Side-netting!

26 minutes in... Batshuayi is injured, he has to come off and here comes the Mexican Magician himself! Carlos Fierro makes his debut for Zenit in the Russian Cup Final!

28 minutes in... Solovjov throws it down the line to Danny, crosses in... Dealbert with the diving header clearance, deflects off Fierro's chest... WITSEL ON THE VOLLLLLLLLEEEEEEYYYYYYYYY!!!! ZENIT WITH THE LEAD ONCE AGAIN!!! 3-2!!!

43 minutes in... Zenit have a free-kick on the edge of the ox close to the end of the second half, Arshavin crosses straight into the hands of Belenov. Hoofed away... Solovjov heads it away, Cissé takes control of the ball, back to Kaboré, Tarasov now. Pavlenko tackld by Bukharov, into the path of Cissé! WHAT A SAVE! Malafeev pulls of a great save on a Djibril Cissé shot. Ibra knocks it back to Kaboré, Tarasov, out wide to Kozlov, Ibra now, it's a corner. Tsoraev with the corner... Hoofed away. Kozlov with the throw in, Tsoraev, Kozlov, Tarasov, Tsoraev, Kozlov, Tarasov, Tsoraev, crossed in... Bukharov heads it away, now with Labyad, Danny switches it to Arshavin, crossed in! The ball is plucked out of the air from Belenov

HT: ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG 3 - 2 KUBAN KRASNODAR

46 minutes in... Zenit kick the second half off

52 minutes in... Kuban have a goal-kick, Tarasov plays it to Pavlenko, finds Cissé in space! WHAT A MISS! How on Earth did Cissé manage to almost hit the corner flag on a one-on-one?!

55 minutes in... Arshavin with the corner... HUBOCAN IS THERE!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!! 4-2 Zenit St. Petersburg! Tomaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas Hubocan!

58 minutes in... Here's Shirokov, plays a one-two with Axel Witsel and he's found Belenov's hands.

59 minutes in... Danny's found Fierro with a great run... FIERRRRRRROOOOO! Blocked for a corner! Unlucky Fierro! Arshavin with the corner, headed away by Kozlov, Cissé on the ball, finds Tsoraev... Poor, poor cross.

61 minutes in... Bad kick out by Malafeev, Bugaev striding forward at pace now... Finds Cissé down the left, Ibra is in the box! Excellent tackle from Domenico Criscito! Witsel finds Danny, maybe a counter-attack? Fierro now, excellent ball to Arshavin who is one-on-one! He's skied it!

64 minutes in... Criscito throws it to Arshavin, Shirokov with a beautiful ball to Labyad, volleys it to Fierro! CLINICAL FINISH! CARLOS FIERRO HAS SENT A DIRECT MESSAGE TO JOE JORDAN! HE'S SCORED ON HIS DEBUT! Labyad with a lob over all of the defenders and Fierro took it on his chest and hammered the ball home! 5-2 to Zenit!

67 minutes in... Solovjov throws it to Zakaria Labyad, cut out by Bugaev, finds Kaboré, Solovjov clears... FANTASTIC ball by Fierro to Labyad, crosses in... parried by Belenov... Witsel heads it towards goal! Back out by Armas!

69 minutes in... Shirokov finds Solovjov, Witsel, Solovjov, Shirokov, Danny, Shirokov, Witsel in the box! Deflected to Danny now, Shirokov has it... Brilliant effort from 30 yards!

78 minutes in... Criscito with a throw in, Arshavin, back to Criscito, blasted into the box by Criscito, headed away, Arshavin, Fierro, Danny!!! Missed!

81 minutes in... Bugaev has a throw in, Lolo, Goal! Kuban score! is it a consolation? We;re about to find out!

86 minutes in... Tsoraev plays it short, shot by Kaboré!!! Just across the face of goal!

90+3 minutes in... Zenit fans are already celebrating, you can feel their excitement from here... That's it! Zenit have won the Russian Cup!!!!

ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG 5 - 3 KUBAN KRASNODAR

Zenit: The Future is bright

Not many of the big teams spend too much on youth teams and producing their own talent, they spend big on other players. Zenit cannot say that, they may have a lot of money from their transfer dealings over the summer to spend but they haven't spent a penny so far, all their transfers have been free transfers and Dani Carvajal who joins them as part of the deal which took Hulk to Real Madrid for €40,000,000. Zenit have players in their first team which have come from their youth squad and others that have been money well spent and have become worth much more than they paid for them.

We speak to Vyacheslav Malafeev and Andrey Arshavin who have come through the ranks at Zenit.
Malafeev: The youth coaching here at Zenit is fantastic, you see many clubs these days with bags of money to spend but not producing their own quality, in England this is regularly the case. One of the reasons I'm still at Zenit is because of the quality of the coaching here. Many clubs wanted me when I was in my 20's, the club accepted but I said no. I've been here since 1997 and I haven't gone a season as a professional without playing a match, in 1999 they slowly started bringing me into the first team from the "B" Team, I made 8 appearances for the senior side and then I spent the rest of it in the "B" Team. I made 12 appearances for the senior side in 2000 and since 2001 I have been no.1 every year. I've been down to see the Under-18's play and I have to say, being completely honest the players we have are absolutely excellent, they have true potential, all of them, if you don't believe me head down to a game and see. I'm 35 now, I feel I have more years in me, playing that is but when I retire I would be extremely interested in a job here as a coach, we'll see what happens

Arshavin: Like Vyacheslav, I started in the "B" Team, I made 35 appearances then, scoring 4 goals and another season where I made 21 appearances scoring 3 goals. I've always felt comfortable at Zenit. It was a really sad day when they told me Arsenal had made an offer they couldn't refuse, I have a lot of respect for Arsenal but more for Zenit, it didn't really work out at Arsenal and I was delighted to see Zenit make an offer for me, even if it was on loan at the time. Coming back has been the best decision of my career, I missed the fans back in England but they have been great to me before and now, I think I've done well since I came back and I hope to improve more.

Manager Joe Jordan took time to speak to us about the new generation of players coming through at Zenit: It makes you burst with pride when you see the media going mad over one of your players who is in the Under-18's and that's all down to the coaching quality and the great facilities here. I feel settled here, I'm backed with money and a great youth squad here to call upon if times are desperate. I brought in 4 youngsters in the previous transfer window, Jim Varela who played 3 games after being signed and he impressed, he will play more this season. Carlos Fierro scored on his debut in the Russian Cup final with a beautiful goal and Zakaria Labyad assisted that, I'm sure the fans will agree when I say he was one of our best best players when he joined, he played some world-class football when he played. The final player was Michy Batshuayi, people say he's the new Benteke, I disagree, Benteke is the worse version of Batshuayi. He will improve this season on his 5 goals in 9 games last season, that record for a newcomer is great anyway.

When asked about current deals at the club Jordan said We have 2 players already agreed and signed up

This sent the media into meltdown "Who is it?" they shouted at him and then Jordan let all go and said Igor Akinfeev, the best keeper around, €26,000,000 to give Malafeev a bit of challenge he's been lacking for the last 13 years. And Sergey Petrov, he came through our youth system, signed for Krylja Sovetov, came back to us, sold to Krasnodar and we have matched his release clause of €250,000





The youth team at Zenit is great, here are the best players there

The 2013/14 Season

To say when I took over and we were 9th I'd say I have done a great job to get Zenit into 4th people. In the friendly's we have only played one and we won 6-0 against FC Shalke 04 with Victor Faizulin, Fierro (twice), Anatoliy Tymoschuk, Michy Batshuayi and Oleg Shatov getting our goals.

Great story m8

2013-09-18 17:19#135245 AlexSonwild : Great story m8

Cheers

Fans: Jordan has done excellent

Zenit supporters are praising Joe Jordan's management and transfer ability according to spokesman Sergey Khomyakov. "We were unsure about Jordan coming here because of his record of leaving clubs often but I'm so glad Zenit trusted Jordan when others wouldn't, I knew I wouldn't at the time. With him doing so well I'm worried he might leave us"

Zenit are sat at the top of the pile in the Russian Premier League so far and have made near enough to €140,000,000 in player sales, bringing in €60,000,000 worth of players which are said to be sensible investments.

The transfer window has now closed, here are Zenit's major transfers:

League Table


Results

Some great bits of business there, although why did you sell Witsel to a team in the same league?

Anyway, good profits there and doing well in the league, keep it up.

2013-09-19 20:59#135296 Walter : Some great bits of business there, although why did you sell Witsel to a team in the same league?

Anyway, good profits there and doing well in the league, keep it up.

Thanks, and Witsel went to PSG?

2013-09-19 21:01#135297 Jack :

2013-09-19 20:59#135296 Walter : Some great bits of business there, although why did you sell Witsel to a team in the same league?

Anyway, good profits there and doing well in the league, keep it up.

Thanks, and Witsel went to PSG?

He did to My bad.

I think I am thinking of Domenico Criscito

Real Madrid unveil Jordan

Today Spanish champions Real Madrid have unveiled Joe Jordan as their new manager as Jurgen Klopp left to Gladbach. Joe Jordan had just completed the double with Zenit St. Petersburg when Madrid offered him the job at the Santiago Bernabeu. His first challenge for silverware this season is the Spanish Super Cup where Real will face Barcelona. There were no players from Zenit included in the deal and Jordan has said it is unlikely he will sign any of his players from Zenit. Although, on transfers Jordan has completed his first deal of his new job with Chelsea defender David Luiz joining in a fee of around €34,000,000.

Zenit enjoyed success under Joe Jordan, qualifying for the EURO Cup in his first season after taking over with Zenit in 9th place, then the next season he won the Russian Premier League by 7 points ahead of 2nd placed Rubin Kazan and had a +37 goal difference. He then won the Russian Cup Final in an entertaining 3-2 win over Lokomotiv Moscow. Big name signings that he made there were Michy Batshuayi, who scored 11 goals in 9 games for them, Salomón Rondón who scored 21 goals in 22 games, Lucas Ocampos who is one of the most top-rated youngsters in the world who he signed for €6,000,000 from AS Monaco, Andrea Pirlo who is now retired but put in a good few games for Zenit, Dani Carvajal who made it into Zenit's overall best eleven, Igor Akinfeev who proved to be a flop for his price tag, conceding 37 in 30 and although he never played under Jordan, Yassine Benzia signed on a free and joined as soon as Jordan left. Jordan also received credit for improving the youngsters at the club.

Jordan now faces the toughest job of his career now, to make use of the wealth of Real Madrid, spend it wisely and win trophies, he's done it before but due to the masses of fans at Madrid he will be under immense pressure.

R. Madrid Transfers 2015/16

This transfer window, Spanish giants Real Madrid have refurbished their senior team with many fresh faces but losing a few in the process.

First lets look at David Luiz who was Jordan's first signing of his Real Madrid reign. He's strong, pacey, athletic and can put a great tackle in when needed, he's the perfect center-back for us. he signed for €33,500,000 from Chelsea



Although Jordan didn't sign Domingos Dju he still had praise for the new right-winger. I din't make the transfer of Dju but from what I've seen of him I'm glad someone spotted him otherwise he would of gone to another club which we don't want to happen here. He joins for €2,900,000 from SL Benfica.



The French striker caught Jordan's eye whilst playing against Verona for A.C. Milan in the Serie A Niang has to be the best under-21 striker in the world right now, he has been superb for A.C. Milan and even better for his country with 5 goals in 3 games for France, he will truly become the best striker in the world one day. Niang was bought for €27,500,000 from A.C. Milan



Leali replaces David Lopez who has left the Santiago Bernabeu and Jordan believes he has made a good decision. I've sold Lopez and I needed somebody young to take that role, Barca signed ter Stegen so the only option was Leali, who in my opinion is miles better than ter Stegen, he's the best keeper I've had the pleasure of managing. Leali joins for €23,000,000 from Juventus



The 5th to join Madrid is youngster José Antonio who Head of Youth Development Rodolfo Borrell signed. Borrell made the wise decision to sign Antonio on a cheap fee and after seeing him train and play with the Under-19's and Castilla it is understandable why Borrell chose José over many other midfielders. Antonio joins for €1,300,000 from Getafe.



Thiago joins Real Madrid from Chelsea after playing for FC Bayern Munich.Thiago has not managed to settle in a club yet since leaving from Barcelona and they made a serious error selling him anyway, he will succeed here. Thiago joins for €30,000,000 from Chelsea



De Sciglio joins from AS Roma. I watched Mattia play for A.C. Milan a lot when I managed Zenit and I even thought about making a bid for him but the foreigner rules over their stopped me from signing him, when I joined Real Madrid, there was only one full-back I wanted and that was Mattia. Mattia De Sciglio signs for Madrid for €15,000,000



Bruno Martins Indi was a little known player until Real Madrid came in and snapped him up on transfer deadline day. Some days I wonder why other clubs didn't go in for Martins Indi before, he has been possibly our best center-back based on consistency so far. He has easily been the best center-back I have ever managed. Bruno Martins Indi joins Madrid for €19,500,000 from SL Benfica.



Jordan admits he needed a center-midfielder fast on deadline day and only one player sprang to mind, Ilkay Gundogan. There were three players I wanted on transfer deadline day, Martins Indi, Gundogan and another player who I hope to sign in January. We needed a ball-playing midfielder who could get back and put in a good tackle if needed, Gundogan was perfect for the job. Gundogan signs for €30,000,000 from Borussia Dortmund.

Out of Madrid

Álvaro Arbeloa - €4,200,000 to R. Sociedad



Demba Ba - €7,500,000 to AS Monaco



Pablo Zabaleta - €13,000,000 to Tottenham Hotspur



Diego López - €3,200,000 to RCD Espanyol



Xabi Alonso - €4,200,000 to SL Benfica



Karim Benzema - €30,000,000 to Borussia Dortmund



Casemiro - Loan to R. Betis + €80,000 per month



Álvaro Morata - €1,900,000 to Udinese



Jorge Pulido - €5,000,000 to PSV Eindhoven



Borja - €2,500,000 to ACF Fiorentina



Derik - €250,000 to Palermo



Hulk - €30,000,000 to FC Porto



Luka Modric - €28,500,000 to Tottenham Hotspur



Sergio Ramos - €30,000,000 to Manchester City



Nacho - Loan to FC Lorient + €75,000 per month



Jesé - Released

Ba and Zabaleta

Oh! I didn't realise it was the same story as the one you kept getting fired on:P Well, glad to see you're doing better now;) Some good transfers

Good transfer dealings mate! Hala Madrid!

@Alex: I know... I really struggled to get rid of 'em too

@Lucas: Yep, I did good enough at Zenit to earn a job at Madrid! Cheers

@Pauker: Thank you! Starting to like Madrid myself as well